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not beta'd

storyline - Countdown

prompts - conventional, different

"So, are you gonna go big or intimate? Like, city hall or –"

"Alice."

"No, I just mean like… you're pretty conventional when it comes to things like this…okay, that sounds bad. You're... traditional."

I sip at my coffee, staring at Alice over the top of the cup as she rambles. Eventually she'll run out of steam.

"So, you know. I'm not trying to be pushy; I'm just excited." She takes a deep breath and picks up her fork. "Bella?"

Smiling, I put my cup down. "I never said we were getting married."

"You said –"

"What I said was I wouldn't move in with him unless we were engaged or married, and then later on he said fine, we'd do it my way." I shrug. "That just means we're on the same page. It doesn't mean he's proposing. Or that he did propose."

Alice rolls her eyes. "It made you feel all gushy and mushy inside. Admit it."

"I do admit it," I say, rolling a stray blueberry across my plate. "I totally do. But just chill, okay? If he's going to ask, he'll do it when he's ready."

"He is pretty perfect," Alice says, sighing. "Even though…you know."

She's referring to the "no kids" issue. Alice has had baby fever since we were in college, I swear.

"Al…"

"Hey." She frowns at me. "Will you relax? I've never said anything to anyone about it, and frankly, I think it's awesome that you guys have each other. Because that would be a deal breaker for a lot of girls, but it isn't for you, and that's how I know he's the one. And that you're the one for him."

I relax completely, nodding. "Sorry. I guess I get defensive about it."

"Understandable, but don't. Not with me, anyway. If you guys want kids –and I hope you do, for the love of God –there are so many other options. As long as I get to be Auntie Alice."

"And there she goes, getting carried away again," I snort.

She shrugs, dumping more sugar in to her coffee.

"Which reminds me…" I smirk, cutting what's left of my pancake in to little pieces. "What ever happened with you and Jasper?"

Alice bites her lip, smiling. "He's amazing. Hopefully, in a couple of months, we'll be right where you and Edward are."

"For real?"

She nods, and her happiness is evident. I'm glad; poor Alice hasn't had the best luck on the dating scene over the past year. She's never lonely, but she's never too satisfied, either. She met Jasper the same New Year's Eve I got together with Edward, but after a couple of dates things fizzled between them.

Then, they were reintroduced at a mutual friend's barbeque. I don't know what was different, but they really connected that second time, way beyond the physical sparks that had flown before.

"That's incredible."

"I know. It's almost like what happened with you and Edward, in a way, with the whole second chances thing."

I nod and take a bite.

Edward is on the phone when I let myself in.

"My mom," he mouths, pointing to the phone.

I smile, setting my bag down before coming in any further. Edward's new place is fantastic, much warmer and cozier than his last place despite the fact it's nearly three times the size. I like to think it's because I helped decorate.

A couple of minutes later, he joins me in the kitchen, where I'm getting myself a glass of water.

"How's Alice?"

"She's good." I press a kiss to his mouth. "How's your Mom?"

"Good. She wants us to come up for dinner again soon."

"Dinner or the weekend?" I laugh a bit, remembering the last time we visited his parents.

He chuckles, getting a glass of water for himself, too. "Who knows. Either. Both. They love you."

"Good. I love them too." I turn to him, squeezing his sides. "We'll have to go see my parents next."

Nodding, he finishes his water and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. "Just pick a weekend and we'll go."

"You sure?"

"I've been seeing you seriously for over a half a year. I think it's time I meet the parents."

I snicker, thinking about the movie with the same name. My dad can be pretty anal when he wants to be, but he's definitely not as bad DeNiro's character. It's mostly an act, anyway, and one reserved for the slacker types I dated in high school.

Edward is impressive even without trying; I have no worries.

"You staying here tonight?" he asks, smirking.

I shrug, even though I know I probably will do just that.

"Why don't you just stay for good?" he asks, pushing me up against the counter.

"Why don't you just ask me properly?" I say, bringing our hips together.

"I thought I just did…"

I grin up at him, sliding my arms around his waist. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He holds me, but he leans away, cocking his head as he watches me. "So was that a thinly veiled plea?"

"Nope."

"Hmm."

"What?"

"Would you want to marry me?"

Even though we're always playing around and hinting at it, actually hearing the words coming out of his mouth make my heart go crazy.

I nod, smiling like a goof.

"I'll keep that in mind," he says, pressing closer.

"Yeah, keep it in mind," I whisper, bringing him in for a kiss.